Tea exports from India rise 15% in first quarter

Tea exports from India, the world’s largest producer, rose 15 percent in the first 10 months of the year after production rose and drought reduced output in Kenya, the world’s biggest exporter.

Overseas sales climbed to 156.5 million kilograms between January and October from 141.9 million kilograms a year earlier, said the Indian Tea Association, an organization of tea producers and exporters.

Production rose 4 percent to 832.6 million kilograms year on year, the association said.

India’s exports may rise 28 percent this year to 200 million kilograms from a year ago because of reduced shipments from Kenya, Tea Board chairman Basudeb Banerjee said in June.

Production may rise 1.6 percent to 960 million kilograms on good monsoon rains.